North Marion High senior killed in crash was 'witty' and 'bright'

Friday

"It's a hard time for the students and staff," Principal Danielle Livengood said.

An Anthony teenager was killed and her mother hospitalized after a single-vehicle wreck in Levy County on Thursday night.

The teen who died, Katie Westphal, 17, was a bright, witty and bubbly girl know as a great friend to other students at North Marion High School, said her principal, Danielle Livengood.

Westphal was a senior at the school.

"It's a hard time for the students and staff," Livengood said. She said the school district's crisis team would be on campus all day. The grief counselors were in different rooms, where students could meet with them.

The girl's mother, Josie Westphal, 42, also of Anthony, was taken to University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where she was listed in serious condition as of late Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to FHP troopers, the mother was driving the 2001 Jeep sport utility vehicle west on Southeast 35th Street, approaching a right-hand curve at 200th Avenue.

Troopers said that, for an unknown reason, she drove straight and hit a tree.

Katie Westphal, who was a passenger in the Jeep, was transported to Williston Regional Hospital, where she died.

FHP indicated that both were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, which occurred around 8:05 p.m.